Blackfriars

/ˈblækˈfraɪərz/ noun

Definition

A Dominican friars (members of a Catholic religious order), named for their black cloaks, or a place associated with these friars such as the historic Blackfriars theater in London.

Etymology

Compound from 'black' (the color of their robes) and 'friars' (religious mendicant monks), used to distinguish Dominicans from other orders like the 'Greyfriars' or 'Whitefriars'.

Kelly Says

The Blackfriars Theater, built by Dominican friars on land they owned in London, was where Shakespeare's plays were performed—it burned in the Great Fire of 1666 and its location is now marked by a monument.

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